Tape tells people where to go and where not to. Getting the colour right makes sure that people understand the message you're trying to send them.
What each colour is telling people
Under the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996, safety colours carry defined meanings. Yellow and black hazard striping marks obstacle collision risk and hazardous areas. Red and white marks prohibition and restricted access. Green marks safe conditions, first aid points, and safe routes. Using the wrong colour on the wrong route sends the wrong message, and people trust the colour before they read any label.
The colour system is only useful when it's applied consistently across the whole site. New starters, contractors, and visitors read it faster when they don't have to work around a local exception.
Temporary boundaries and permanent lines
Adhesive floor marking tape belongs on lines that stay: walkway edges, machine-clearance zones, storage bay markings. Once down on a clean, dry floor, it should stay put for as long as the layout does.
Non-adhesive barrier tape does a different job. Wet paint, a temporary hazard, a cordon around a spill cleanup, an event access boundary: the tape goes up on posts or fixings, does its job for the day or the week, and comes down when the risk is gone. Barrier tape used where a permanent line belongs, or a floor line left after the layout moved, both teach people to stop reading the markings.
If you want help or advice for anything from a specific site layout to a temporary marking job, call our team on 0808 175 4375.
Will floor marking tape adhere reliably to warehouse or factory floors under heavy traffic?
Yes, provided the surface is clean and dry before application. The floor marking tape in this range features strong adhesive designed to bond to varied surfaces and withstand the demands of heavy-traffic industrial environments. For best results, apply to a clean, dry floor free from dust, oil, and debris - surface preparation is the most common reason tape fails prematurely.
Can anti-slip tape be used on stairs and ramps as well as flat floors?
Yes - stairs and ramps are among the most common applications for anti-slip tape. The coarse material provides improved grip underfoot on inclines and steps where slip risk is highest, particularly in wet or oily conditions. We offer a lighter-duty 5m yellow/black version for lower-traffic areas, and a heavy-duty 18.3m version for higher-traffic or more demanding environments.
Does floor marking tape help with workplace compliance for pedestrian walkways?
Yes. Under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, employers are required to organise traffic routes so that pedestrians and vehicles can circulate safely. Floor marking tape is a recognised and cost-effective method of defining pedestrian walkways and separating them from vehicle routes.
